LOSSIEMOUTH-BASED FIRM Grampian Furnishers are hoping that a two-year search for new premises will take a major step towards becoming a reality this week.
The company are set to present their plans for a purpose-built store in Elgin – at a time when other north-based businesses are finding it tough to survive in the retail sector.
A family-owned business, Grampian Furnishers have been bucking the trend in recent years, seeing continued growth – and although a build cost has yet to be agreed it is believed their investment in the new store will be in the region of £3million to £4million.
The company plan to build on a site that is currently zoned for industrial use, but due to the lack of available land for a building of this size the firm have been encouraged to put their case to the council officials at a pre-planning application meeting on Friday.
Together with Inverness architects Colin Armstrong Associates, Grampian Furnishers owner Royce Clark will present to representatives of the council and if given the green light a full planning application will be submitted immediately.
Mr Clark said: “This has been a long time coming. We have outgrown our current building and have spent many months looking at options of utilising existing buildings in and around Elgin, but it became clear that what we wanted to do meant a purpose built store was the only answer.”
The eye-catching store design would be situated at the gateway to Elgin in a very prominent location – and would be seen as a clear sign that Elgin is open for business. It is hoped the 25,000 square foot building, which will include offices, warehousing and a café, will attract customers from all over the north into Moray.
The firm already supplies goods throughout the UK through their website to a customer base that is continuing to grow locally, with more customers making the journey from Aberdeen and Inverness to shop with them.
Current jobs will be secured long term with the potential to double the workforce to around 30.